Mitty’s single in the bottom of the eighth leads to 3-2 win over
San Benito
Santa Clara
Nik Balog’s seeing-eye single in the bottom of the eighth Wednesday pushed across the winning run as Mitty outlasted San Benito 3-2 in the Mike Hazlett Tournament at Santa Clara’s Washington Park.
The Haybalers are now 1-1 in the tournament, which is hosted by Wilcox, after they defeated Santa Clara 7-0 on Monday. San Benito will play Saturday at Washington Park against the loser between Wilcox and Valley Christian.
Despite the loss, though, coach Mike Luna is hoping to receive similar pitching performances out of his staff as the season progresses.
“I thought our pitching was outstanding today,” said Luna, who commented on the high velocity of starter Miles Sanchez and reliever Steve Cabral. “I told them before the game, it’s gonna be a close game. It’s gonna come down to who makes fewer mistakes, and unfortunately we made some mistakes.”
Brian Haggett, in his first at-bat since the conclusion of the basketball season, singled over Trevor Fabing to third base in the top half of the first, and Kyle Zozaya sacrificed Fabing in for a 1-0 lead.
San Benito’s mistakes helped Mitty get on the board in the third inning, however. After the Monarchs drew a leadoff walk, San Benito committed four errors that led to a pair of Mitty runs as well as a 2-1 lead.
But the ‘Balers manufactured a run in the top half of the fourth to tie the game at two runs apiece. Nathan Hopkins drew a leadoff walk, and after a single by Bryan Scott and a sac bunt from Kevin Burley, Ronnie Fhurong sac bunted down the first-base line to score Hopkins.
The game would remain tied until the bottom of the eighth, when Mitty would capitalize on two hit-by-pitches to plate the winning run.
“This was a great game to be in,” Luna said. “It’s these games that help you later in the year. If we’re pitching like that, we’re gonna have a pretty good year.”
The ‘Balers (2-2) will play either Wilcox or Valley Christian on Saturday at Washington Park in Santa Clara. First pitch is at 1:30 p.m.
